Abstracts
AARON, S., EBERHARDT, C., and MCCARDLE, B. Biology. A Comparison of the Bacterial Species Found in the Oral Flora of Cats, Dogs, and Horses.
Dogs, cats, and horses are common domestic animals in Pennsylvania, which made sample collection feasible. The oral flora of these animals comprises diverse bacterial species. We investigated the bacterial species found in cats, dogs, and horses, which have distinct lifestyles, to determine if significant differences exist between them. We hypothesized that the oral microbiomes of these animals would differ significantly. Further experimentation is needed to fully characterize the bacterial communities present in the oral cavities of cats, dogs, and horses.
Faculty sponsor: Dr. Natasha Dias
BENFIELD, K. Investigating the Anti-Apoptotic Effect of Zinc on MG-63 Osteoblast-like Cells as a Potential Compound to Treat Diabetes Induced Osteoporosis.
See GIRT, L.
BUMGARNER, T. Human Resource Management. Strategic Compensation Management in Modern Organizations.
This presentation examines strategic compensation management in modern organizations. Compensation extends beyond base pay to include benefits, incentives, and non-monetary rewards. This project highlights how compensation strategies differ across industries such as healthcare, technology, and retail, and how these approaches support employee attraction and retention. It also explains key concepts like pay mix and total rewards, emphasizing their role in overall employee satisfaction. Additionally, the presentation addresses evolving workforce trends, including childcare support and gig work. Overall, this project demonstrates that effective compensation is a critical tool for improving motivation, retention, and organizational performance.
Faculty sponsor: Dr. Miguel Olivas-Lujan
DASI, H., HARRINGTON, E., and KETH, A. Biology. Studying the neuroprotective versus cytotoxic effects of NSAIDS (Aleve, Aspirin, Ibuprofen) on SH-SY5Y neuronal cells.
Neurodegeneration causes progressive neuronal loss, underlying disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. NSAIDs, widely used to reduce pain and inflammation, may offer neuroprotection; ibuprofen has been shown to dissolve amyloid plaques in SH-SY5Y cells. However, chronic NSAID use may have opposing effects. We investigated acute and chronic impacts of ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin, and acetaminophen (control) on SH-SY5Y cells. Preliminary results show short-term neuroprotective effects, but chronic NSAID exposure induces neurodegeneration, highlighting the need to carefully assess long-term NSAID use for neuronal health.
Faculty sponsor: Dr. Natasha Dias
EBERHARDT, C. A Comparison of the Bacterial Species Found in the Oral Flora of Cats, Dogs, and Horses.
See AARON, S.
GIRT, L., JOHN, T., and BENFIELD, K. Biology. Investigating the Anti-Apoptotic Effect of Zinc on MG-63 Osteoblast-like Cells as a Potential Compound to Treat Diabetes Induced Osteoporosis.
Deficiencies of zinc are seen in the course of ageing and in diabetic patients. Our study aims to examine the mechanism underlying diabetes induced osteoporosis, and determine the protective effects of zinc, and its association with osteoporosis and diabetes. Previous studies in our lab showed zinc to have an inhibitory effect on AGE induced MG-63 cell apoptosis through MTT enzymatic cell viability assays, PCR and qPCR molecular experiments. Furthermore, our qPCR data showed that ZnT1, ZnT4 and ZiP1 zinc channel proteins played a significant role in transporting zinc ions across membranes. Through these experiments, we hope to gain a better understanding of the underlying mechanism of diabetes induced osteoporosis and indicate zinc as a novel micronutrient for its prevention and treatment.
Faculty sponsor: Dr. Natasha Dias
GRDINA, G. A Comparative Study Identifying Bacterial Species Between Common Areas and Frequently Used Hospital Equipment to Prevent the Transmission of Nosocomial Infections Among Patients When Admitted for Treatment.
See HOUSER, M.
HARRINGTON, E. Studying the neuroprotective versus cytotoxic effects of NSAIDS (Aleve, Aspirin, Ibuprofen) on SH-SY5Y neuronal cells.
See DASI, H.
HOUSER, M., SERRANO, M. and GRDINA, G. Nursing. A Comparative Study Identifying Bacterial Species Between Common Areas and Frequently Used Hospital Equipment to Prevent the Transmission of Nosocomial Infections Among Patients When Admitted for Treatment.
Hospitals continually experience a rapid turnover of patients presenting with various diseases, and bacterial organisms have the opportunity to collect and grow on hospital equipment. We will be investigating the bacterial species found on the surfaces of frequently used hospital equipment from the ER waiting room and Med/Surg units to compare bacterial species found in those locations to bacterial species found previously in the Emergency Department. Equipment will include: ER waiting room seats, tables, registration desk, and signing pen; as well as Med/Surg hospital beds, IV poles, patient sinks, and vital machines. We hypothesized that similar bacterial species would be found in all three hospital locations tested.
Faculty sponsor: Dr. Natasha Dias
IOZZI, R. and SERRANO, M. Chemistry. The Bromination of 2,3-dimethylbutane: A Procedural Experiment.
The experiment performed has a surprising result, even for an experienced chemist. Many who have performed this experiment were shocked that a dibromide precipitated. The experiment performed was the bromination of 2,3-dimethylbutane promoted by a light source. The reaction was run with a vast excess of 2,3-dimethylbutane and a small amount of bromine. The surprising result is that while most brominations yield a monobrominated product, this experiment yielded a dibrominated product. The creation of specific isomers demonstrates the selective nature of bromination and explains important concepts learned in organic chemistry.
Faculty sponsor: Dr. Jonathan Touster
JOHN, T. Investigating the Anti-Apoptotic Effect of Zinc on MG-63 Osteoblast-like Cells as a Potential Compound to Treat Diabetes Induced Osteoporosis.
See GIRT, L.
KETH, A. Studying the neuroprotective versus cytotoxic effects of NSAIDS (Aleve, Aspirin, Ibuprofen) on SH-SY5Y neuronal cells.
See DASI, H.
MCCARDLE, B. A Comparison of the Bacterial Species Found in the Oral Flora of Cats, Dogs, and Horses.
See AARON, S.
NAMJILSUREN, D. Economics & Mathematics. Unstable Incomes in the Gig-Adjacent Economy: Self-Employment Earnings Volatility in the 2024 CPS.
Self-employed workers are often used as a proxy for gig-adjacent work, and they tend to face more variable earnings than traditional wage and salary employees. Using the 2024 CPS ASEC accessed through IPUMS, I analyze a sample of 64,055 workers. I find that self-employed earnings are substantially more dispersed, with a coefficient of variation of 1.49 compared to 1.15, or about 30% higher. The gap is largest at the extremes of the distribution, where self-employed workers earn less at the 10th percentile and more at the 90th. After controlling for age, sex, race, education, and hours worked, self-employed workers earn roughly 15.8% less than comparable employees. These findings suggest that self-employed workers face greater earnings risk without receiving a compensating pay premium.
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Paul Woodburne
SERRANO, M. A Comparative Study Identifying Bacterial Species Between Common Areas and Frequently Used Hospital Equipment to Prevent the Transmission of Nosocomial Infections Among Patients When Admitted for Treatment.
See HOUSER, M.
SERRANO, M. The Bromination of 2,3-dimethylbutane: A Procedural Experiment.
See IOZZI, R.